Group 1: Historical Development of China-India Studies - China-India studies have a long history and solid academic foundation, with early records dating back to ancient texts like "Records of the Buddhist Kingdom" and "Great Tang Records on the Western Regions" [2] - Modern interest in India was sparked by works such as Wei Yuan's "Illustrated Treatise on the Sea" and Xu Jiyu's "Brief Treatise on the Ocean," alongside official research missions during the Self-Strengthening Movement [2] - The New Culture Movement saw significant cultural exchanges, notably with Tagore's visit to China, which emphasized Eastern spiritual civilization and sparked debates in Chinese intellectual circles [2] Group 2: Current State of China-India Studies - The research community in China can be categorized into three main groups: those focusing on Indian philosophy and cultural history, those studying Indian political economy and society, and grassroots researchers driven by increasing knowledge demands [4][5] - The first group employs humanistic research methods, while the second group focuses on social science approaches, often driven by policy needs, leading to a lack of publicly available research [4] - The rise of informal research groups has been facilitated by the internet and social media, addressing gaps in knowledge supply from formal institutions [5] Group 3: Challenges and Future Prospects - The future of China-India studies appears optimistic, but challenges exist, particularly regarding the influence of social media and the need for deeper, more nuanced research [7] - Researchers must be cautious of Western comparisons that may carry geopolitical motives, emphasizing the need for objective and comprehensive studies of India [7] - There is a significant gap in the quality of research, with many scholars lacking practical experience in India, which affects the depth and applicability of their studies [8]

Group 1 - The conference on "Innovative People-to-People Diplomacy: Shandong Practice and Global Perspective" was held in Qingdao, focusing on enhancing civil diplomacy through academic exchange among experts and scholars from various institutions [1][4][19] - Keynote speeches emphasized the importance of integrating traditional Chinese culture into civil diplomacy practices and the need for theoretical, mechanism, and practical innovations to adapt to new circumstances [6][8][10] - The event featured reports from various experts, highlighting the intersection of regional studies, international communication, and foreign language education to support national strategic needs [14][17] Group 2 - The conference aimed to establish a collaborative platform involving government, universities, think tanks, and international organizations to foster theoretical innovation in civil diplomacy [19] - A collection of over 40 research papers was published, covering topics such as digital diplomacy and cultural communication, with awards given to outstanding contributions [17] - The event marked a significant step in building a multidisciplinary expert team to advance civil diplomacy research and resource sharing [17]

Core Viewpoint - The publication of "Global China: Interdisciplinary Exploration of Regional and Country Studies" marks a significant contribution to the field of regional and country studies in China, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary approaches and the cultivation of talent that understands language, countries, and specific fields [1][2]. Group 1: Book Overview - The book is divided into three parts: "Interdisciplinary Exploration," "Historical Discussions," and "Roundtable Discussions and Personal Interviews," providing a comprehensive overview of the development and research paradigms of regional and country studies in China [1]. - It serves as an important reference for the academic construction of regional and country studies, addressing both theoretical frameworks and practical explorations [1]. Group 2: Academic Significance - The establishment of regional and country studies as a first-level interdisciplinary discipline responds effectively to national strategies and contemporary educational needs, marking a significant reform in higher education [2]. - The book is considered essential reading for research on regional and country studies, international issues, and the unique perspective of overseas Chinese [2]. Group 3: Expert Contributions - The launch event featured discussions among nearly twenty experts from prestigious universities, focusing on the construction of the discipline, theoretical innovation, and academic practices from a Chinese perspective [2].